Thebosn1

Search for the date of your cruise on Facebook. There are several groups on there that have private tour information.

Which group can I find out about the tours? I would love to know more! Thank you!!!!!

A passenger knocked on our cabin door. In his hand was DH's camera which had been left in a public area. The man had turned on the camera and saw a picture of our luggage tag (always the first picture on our cameras). It was easy for him to return it directly to us. Thank goodness for honest people!

THAT is a really smart idea!!

We are taking the Splendor to Hawaii in October 2018 for our honeymoon. I am wondering what tours are the best to take? Have you booked through outside companies before? If so, where and what tour company? We have been on cruises before but we really want to have a ton of fun on this one since it will be our honeymoon.

 

TIA!!

I believe I may be on your cruise. I belong to a group on another social media site, and we have a friend that conducts the most wonderful tours. Been booking with him for years and he is the best. Not a lot of spots left, but there are always cancellations. Maybe try to find our group, or msg me and I will point you in the right direction.

On that same cruise I also booked a hike up Diamond Head through the ship. Looks pretty cool.

I have seen adults behave like little kids with no manners in the Serenity deck.

So what? That means that kids should come in the area they are not supposed to be in? Because YOU think you saw adults acting a certain way back there?

First let me say that my wife and I are experienced cruisers and have cruised on Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal thus far. This post is not meant to bash on Carnival in any way... just looking for opinions. Does anyone else notice that it seems like Carnival is really going down hill quality wise? Food problems (quantity, variety, and temperatures), customer service issues, common area ship and stateroom cleanliness complaints, poor entertainment, etc. Is it just me or does it seem like Carnival is having problems? Our last Carnival cruise was very disappointing and we both agreed that our Carnival days were over until changes were made. Many small things like return guest perks, mints on the pillows, and complimentary toiletries in the stateroom bathrooms, to much larger issues like food, cleanliness problems, and a general feeling of a lack of concern for customer satisfaction. It also seems to me like the fleet is showing signs of age and they do not seem to be keeping pace with other lines in regard to introducing newer ships with more current features. I do understand that they try to be the "value" line and must keep costs low, but it just seems like their has been a real effort to take away the few last remaining reasons that we would choose to sail with them in the future.

I agree with most of what you said. But for me, the reason that I am teetering on the verge of looking for a new line is the absolute REFUSAL of Carnival to do ANYTHING about the out of control kids. Each cruise that I take (1 or 2 a year for the last ten years) has gotten worse. It came to a head on a recent cruise to Australia where a pack of young teenage kids were basically terrorizing the ship. They were more than just rowdy. They were verbally abusive, and physically dangerous to some smaller kids and older passengers. I saw them knock down an elderly man and just keep going. They stormed into the serenity area most nights and would verbally abuse the adults there until security came. Then they would stand on the deck above and continue the abuse.

On U.S. cruises, there are entire sections of the ship that I have to avoid now, like the main pool in the afternoon and the pizza place late at night.

The one common thread is that every single time I go to the staff, they tell me there is nothing they can do. After begging the staff for help on that Australia cruise with nothing done (the Cruise Director herself said "well what do you want me to do about it, throw them off the ship?") we departed. On the very next cruise a young kid threw a ketchup bottle from the lido down 10 decks and narrowly missed a passenger in the atrium.

It has to stop. I can put up with all the little cut backs, but Carnival clearly does not care about returning customers like me as much as they want new cruisers with 5 out of control kids.

Anyone have any tips for successfully getting a little whiskey on board? In a wine bottle? Something else?

 

Thanks

 

 

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Or, and I know this sounds crazy...but you COULD just PAY FOR YOUR DRINKS like most other people do.

My wife and I are staying in Long Beach prior to a cruise. We were thinking of taking UBER from our hotel to the Venice Pier just to check it out. Was just wondering if anyone has done this in the past and if there were any problems encountered.

OMG ... yes, we have all just spent TEN PAGES debating "to use a lanyard or not." LMAO ... we all need a hobby, LOL ... oh yeah , we HAVE a hobby, reading Cruise Critic!

 

I carry my cell phone everywhere on the ship as it also serves as my camera :) SO I have a special cell phone case that has a couple slots I can stick my S&S card and a credit card (for port days).

 

I also have lanyards and have used them ... but they are so light that when I jog on the track high on the ship it's so windy I've almost had them blow away off my neck, so I much prefer to now keep them with my phone which I always have with me.

 

Now, if we want this post to go on ANOTHER 10 pages .... should I bring up the "Passport vs Birth Certificate" debate? Or better yet the "TO bring your Passport off the ship or leave in the safe." HAHA.

 

Cheers!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

Or I could say I just carry it in my pack of smokes and blow up this whole thing hahaha...

Question for experienced cruisers? How do you carry your sign and sail card? Do they provide some kind of lanyard with card holder? Or do people put them in their wallets? I'm imagining wanting to wander around the ship without a purse, and my kids don't usually carry wallets, so how do people keep their cards on them? Actually, because our room reservations don't match where we will actually be sleeping, both my oldest son and I are going to have to carry two cards with us -- one for charging and one for access to the room we are sleeping in. So double the consideration. ;-)

I'm PLATNUM, so I have people to carry it for me! Hahaha kidding! Good question. You are right, it is a pain to carry it in a pocket. Most people use a lanyard either around the neck or attached to their clothing some how. A lot of ship's casinos will pop a hole in the corner of the card for you, some will do it at the check in desk, others already have the card punched. Some folks also buy those clear plastic holders for the lanyards.

VERY seldom enforced. I think maybe one in over 13 years have I been asked where the other person is.

We're thinking of booking a cove balcony, so I looked at the deck plans. I noticed that there are staterooms above us. Anyone ever stayed in a cove balcony on the Vista? If so, did you hear a lot of noise from the floor above you?

Also, we just stayed in a balcony on the Sunshine. Do the doors slam shut on the Vista? Every other minute I heard other balcony doors slamming on the Sunshine, especially early mornings on port days.

 

Thanks in advance!

I stayed in one, I had absolutely no problem at all with noise.

Great review! I did the same itinerary on Vista a couple years ago. I even stayed at the same hotel, and I agree it is a great pre-cruise hotel. I did not get the Havana cabin on my trip, and I was wishing I did for the entire cruise. The other pools were packed with out of control kids, I could even get in one.

We are booked for Horizon in 2019, in a Havana Cabin and can't wait.

Thanks for the detailed review!

We have an extended aft balcony on Splendor for a 14 day Hawaiian cruise next year. The cabin is on deck 8, right below aft pool area.

Anyone had one of these cabins on deck 8? I was wondering if there were any noise issues from above it. Any other pros and cons, I would like to hear them. Thanks.

Your comments on embarkation are interesting. I just sailed Vista in April and I have never gone from the cab to my stateroom quicker. Can I ask what your check in time was? Were they having computer issues or something?

If they aren't going to offer another level between Platinum and Diamond - I'd like them to give the ability to "earn" additional points. Booking a suite...booking early, etc to help get to that next level!

 

OP ~ it literally took YEARS for the current system to be rolled out. I have no reason to believe that there will be anything quickly this time either! :rolleyes: But it's fun to kick around ideas while we wait. ;):cool:

That's a good idea, I like the chance to add additional points for adding premium services.

It's not THAT bad of a score. And the stuff they gigged them for are ridiculous. Not worried about my long upcoming cruise on the Legend at all.

Great, thank you. I'll stick with the ATM.

I am returning to French Polynesia this fall on a cruise and we will be in the same three ports as several years ago when we visited. Last time, I did not bother to exchange any money for CFP before the trip, because it was a giant hassle. When we were in Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea back in 2014, I just got cash from the ATMs.

I can't remember if I got killed on exchange rates or anything. Does anyone have any advice on whether its actually worth the hassle of trying to get cash before I go? The plan right now is to just hit the ATM again, but if anyone has more insight into this, I would welcome the advice.

Thanks

Jim

We were on the 12/24 sailing, and I actually just commented to my DH that it did not feel crowded at all, especially for a high holiday/school vacation travel time period.

That is nice to know. I normally never book during spring break time, and I overlooked it this time to sail with some friends. Right during spring break.

What I love about reading all the complaints (and not saying there aren't some very legitimate poor food complaints) is then watching all the people pile on the food at the buffets and ask for 3 entrees and 4 desserts at dinner. or complain they had to wait 3 minutes in the omelet line for that 2nd omelet being prepared especially for them.;p

SOME of the complaints are really funny. One guy complained that they shelled his lobster for him but didn't peel his shrimp. Poor guy.

Thanks

Looking for info from someone that has Cruise Vista in the Caribbean lately. Did they have much LIVE music during the day at the pools, or what it a DJ most of the time? Or even worse, did they just play that giant TV at ear splitting levels all day? Just curious.

Thanks,

Jim

I have a cove balcony under the forward restaurant on the Vista in a couple months. Has anyone had one of these? I was wondering about noise from the restaurant in the evenings.

Also, this is my first cove balcony. Any feedback on them would be welcome.

Jim

First cruise - waited a long time. I know we are taking the "bottom rung" ship for our first one, but it's a good starter. (Carnival Fantasy) Going with a group, so it will be fun. From what I'm reading, we will have no where to go but up from here, as far as cruise lines are concerned, it looks like! (like Carnival Breeze and Dream and Magic...?) But we'll certainly have fun on this maiden voyage regardless.

 

Anyway - one reason we have waited so long is to get our boys through college (two graduating debt free in a matter of months now) and a very active business. Being business owners, there are no "down days". We just take our business with us via our laptops.

 

First question - I've read that internet is an extra fee. Anyone know how much that fee is and are there restricted times we can access the internet?

 

Second question - I've heard differing opinions on the dress code. We are doing the Cozumel/Progreso cruise, so I know it'll be summer casual dress 99% of the time. But what about the one nice-dinner dress night? Suit for him/dress for me, or is it even more casual than that?

 

Third question - it's pretty obvious we are not youngsters anymore - we like nice relaxing, little romantic venues. We also ballroom dance. I'm thinking Fantasy may not be our top pick for those types of things. Anyone have recommendations for future cruises that cater more to us "older" folks who don't want to do the ropes course or the water park? We are still very active, though - hikes, dancing, runners, etc, etc.

 

Thanks for any tips!

Bon Voyage and all those fun words!!

The internet / wifi packages vary from ship to ship and depend on what package you buy. They are not super expensive though. Most are around $50 for full access.

As far as quiet and relaxing, there are limited options where you can escape the noise and the kids. I would try the serenity area (if Fantasy even has one), or the upper sun decks. The interior bars are normally not crowded early in the evenings. If there is a steak house (sorry, I have never been on Fantasy) that is normally a very nice experience.

I'm no spring chicken either, and enjoy a little quiet time too. My biggest annoyance are the packs of spastic, unruly kids that seem to be everywhere. Parents will flame me now for saying that, but it's true. I always try to sail during times when school is in session, although that does not always help. I avoid summer and spring and winter break times like the plague.

I suggest definitely getting a balcony. It is often times the quietest, most relaxing spot on the ship. Enjoy your cruise.

Our last cruise was in 2007, and so much has changed. Can someone let us know what has changed, IE are there still formal nights in the dining room, has the attire requirement changed in the dining room, they don't have the shows in the theater anymore? etc. I am looking into booking one for October and would just like to know how Carnival is different now :)

 

Many thanks!

 

Tracy Utter

My first cruise was in 2005. There are not a lot of what I consider SIGNIFICANT changes. Lots of little nit-picky things. Yes, they still have formal nights but some folks balk at dressing properly and try to wear casual clothes. This upsets some diners, and causes arguments when Carnival does not enforce the dress code.

They still have shows, but they seem very watered down compared to the shows I saw on the Valor when she was new. Like 8 dancers lip-singing to recorded music. Most shows are not worth the wait to get in.

Some feel the food quality has dropped. However, with the new options on most ships now, I have never had a problem finding something delicious to eat.

The steel bands are gone from the lido, replaced with a D.J. No smoking on balconies any more.

The staff is spread a little thin now, but they still do an amazing job. May not get the full time personal attention from them you may remember, but they do their best. You may need to ASK for ice in your cabin instead of just expecting it there.

Overall, when I look back at my first cruise and compare it to my latest, things have not changed drastically.

Book with confidence and enjoy your cruise.

Jim